NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Saturday

Year II

Readings

First Reading
Tm 4:1–8

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 71:8–9, 14–15ab, 16–17, 22

Gospel
Mk 12:38–44

Meditation on Today’s Readings

Taken from the Vatican II Sunday and Weekday Missal
Written by Celia Sirois

As Raphael exhorted Tobit and Tobias before his departure, so Paul exhorts Timothy before his death. Both Raphael and Paul, angel and apostle, counsel good works and promise “a full life,” “a crown of righteousness” to those who endure. The Gospel story also contains exhortation. Observing the people putting money into the collection box opposite the temple treasury, Jesus seizes the opportunity to teach his disciples a lesson. He directs their attention to a poor widow and her two small copper coins. He tells them that hers is the greater gift, for “she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

Scholars often note that the widow is presented as a foil for those scribes whose piety is showy and self-serving. But she prepares us as well for the self-giving of Jesus. As she gave her livelihood, so he will give his life. Perhaps Mark is suggesting that almsgiving, so highly praised in the Book of Tobit, is one practical way for us to follow Christ.

The copyright for the Sunday Missal Introductions is:
Copyright (c) 2001, Daughters of St. Paul
The copyright for the Weekday Missal Introduction is:
Copyright (c) 2002, Daughters of St. Paul